CPAP & BiPAP - What’s the difference?
One of the most common questions we are asked is
“What’s the difference between a CPAP and a BiPAP?”
CPAP (continuous positive airway pressure) is the most common PAP treatment, but for some people, a better option is the BiPAP (bi-level positive airway pressure).
While both the CPAP and BiPAP work in similar ways, the differences between both machines show that there are positives and negatives to recognize. The healthcare team should always make the final decision to switch from a CPAP to a BiPAP, or vice versa.
Both CPAP and BiPAP machines are therapeutic positive airway pressure. This means that compressed air opens and supports the airway during sleep. There are portable machines which generate pressurized air directed through the airways through a hose and mask system. All of the machines use universal supplies (hose, masks, and other supplies).
CPAP machines have pressure setting that is adjustable and delivers between 4 to 20 cm H2O (a measure of air pressure that stands for centimeters of water pressure) whether the user is inhaling or exhaling.
BiPAP machines have two pressure settings — inhalation (IPAP) and exhalation (EPAP). IPAP stands for ‘Inhalation positive airway pressure’ and EPAP ‘exhalation positive airway pressure.’ This allows for pressure levels to be lower during the process of exhalation. The machine’s setting on BiPAP machines switch between IPAP and EPAP due to the patient’s breathing pattern.
Specifications of CPAP vs BiPAP
CPAP Machines
Typical Cost - $350-$1000
Pressure Levels - CPAP has 1 level
Typical Pressure Range - 4 to 20 cm H2O
Medical Implementation- Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) or pre-term infants (A birth that occurs before the 37th week of pregnancy)
Insurance Coverage - May be covered depending on your insurance.
BiPAP Machines
Typical Cost - $800-$2000
Pressure Levels - BiPAP has 2 one for breathing in and one for breathing out - Initial settings start around 8-10 (and can go up to 24) cm H2O for inhalation and 2-4 (up to 20) cm H2O for exhalation.
Typical Pressure Range - 4 to 25 cm H2O
Medical Applications - OSA patients who respond poorly to CPAP, central sleep apnea (CSA), COPD, congestive heart failure, Parkinson’s disease, or ALS
Insurance Coverage - May be covered if CPAP therapy fails (depending on insurance) or if not well-suited for the patient
Sleeptopia Inc enjoys in-network status with many insurances such as Aetna, Cigna, Coventry, Medicare, Tricare, and many more!
Different Types of Machines
There are portable CPAP machines which are smaller and compact (such as the ResMed AirMini or the Dreamstation Go). BiPAP machines are designed for at-home use due to the additional sensors and settings, they are usually twice the cost of a CPAP machine.
Different types of positive airway pressure therapy works well for different conditions, but there are areas that have similarities. CPAP is commonly recommended for obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), and sleep specialists are most likely not going to place a patient on a BiPAP unless they cannot tolerate CPAP.
Sleeptopia does not place any patient on a BiPAP without a prescription from the doctor/referring physician. Many insurance providers cover CPAPs and BiPAPs for obstructive sleep apnea, and many usually require proof that CPAP treatment is intolerable before accepting a claim for a BiPAP machine. CPAP machines are most common for treatment for OSA while BiPAP is primarily used to treat CSA (central sleep apnea), along with heart, lung, and neurological disorders that require inhalation and exhalation airway support during sleep.
Masks
While CPAP machines have only one setting, but depending on the mask that the patient uses, some masks allow for excess air pressure to have a release through small openings in the mask, allowing an easy exhale. The exhalation setting on BiPAP machines does not allow the user to set the pressure and is slightly less than the inhalation setting. Doctors can change both pressures with a written script. If a patient is having difficulty exhaling on either machine, all we need is a prescription for a lower setting on the PAP machine. We can assist you with finding the best pressure for each patient!
CPAP users usually have a period of time where they can adjust to using the machine. Discomfort can be fixed by adjusting settings, adjusting the humidifier settings, changing to different types of masks, or by using the CPAP therapy device during the day like when reading, watching television, or other rest-related activities. BiPAP machines are available for patients who cannot tolerate CPAP therapy, but this switch must be finalized by health care professionals and supervised closely by a sleep specialist.
Supplies
Both CPAP and BiPAP machines are available with a range of supplies for the machines. The most common supplies that are frequently checked are the cushions for the mask along with filters. We also have a large supply of full-face, nasal, and pillow masks (cushions/pillows, mask frames, and headgear), an assortment of additional mask accessories, an assortment of tubing, filters, chinstraps, cleaning machines, humidifier chambers, and more! There is a prescription needed for heated tubing.
Unlike BiPAP machines, CPAP machines are available in a range of sizes. Most machines are intended to be used at home and are slightly smaller than a shoebox. Travel CPAPs are small enough to fit on the top of your hand.
Travel models are Federal Aviation Administration approved and are available for use on airplanes.